Leonkoro String Quartet

Subtle Connections Across The World

Leonkoro String Quartet

Leonkoro String Quartet, founded in Berlin in 2019, is framed by brothers Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz. Leonkoro, in Esperanto means “lionheart.” It alludes to Astrid Lindgren’s children’s book about two brothers that juxtaposes the grave reality of death with a large and heartfelt yearning for comfort and solace — a sentiment conveyed in much of the string quartet’s repertoire.

Program includes:
TBA

*Artists or program may be subject to change.

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Photo by Peter Adamik

Violin

Born in Lübeck, Germany, Jonathan Schwarz received his first violin lesson as a boy and at 14, began studying at the Musikhochschule Lübeck. He had an early passion for playing in the orchestra and served as concertmaster of the National Youth Orchestra of Germany, which led to involvements in CD productions and radio recordings for the Deutsche Grammophon and German broadcasters. He received additional orchestra experience in the festival orchestras of the Pacific Music Festival, the Kammerakademie Potsdam and the Karajan Academy with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Jonathan Schwarz’s Bio

Photo by Felix Broede

Violin

Amelie Wallner was born in Munich and received her first violin lessons at the age of 4. She is a multiple prizewinner of the “Jugend musiziert” competition, has performed as a member and concertmaster of the German Federal Youth Orchestra in many different countries and attended the Berlin University of the Arts. In 2019, she and her string sextet were awarded first prize at the Alice Samter Foundation Chamber Music Competition. Ms. Wallner regularly plays in symphony and chamber orchestras such as the Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Esperanza and the Potsdam Chamber Academy.

Amelie Wallner’s Bio

Photo by Felix Broede

Viola

The Japanese-Dutch violist was born in Amsterdam and received her initial training at the Sweelinck Academy of the Amsterdam Conservatory. At the age of 9, she performed with her Quartetto Piccolo at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and also formed a duo with her twin brother Takehiro Konoe. She began her studies in 2016 at the Berlin University of the Arts. She has studied viola since 2022 at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music. She was a member of the Ensemble Esperanza and gained additional orchestral experience as a substitute at the Kammerakademie Potsdam and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Mayu Konoe’s Bio

Photo by Felix Broede

Cello

Cellist Lukas Schwarz became a junior student at the Lübeck University of Music and Performing Arts at the age of 10. He began his bachelor’s degree in 2016 at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig, which he completed in spring 2021with top marks. He finished his master’s degree in spring 2023, also with top marks, and has attended many masterclasses. As principal cellist of the German Federal Youth Orchestra, he toured Europe and Asia and participated in CD productions and radio recordings for German broadcasters. He continued gaining further orchestral experience with the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra, Eroica Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Orchester im Treppenhaus and the young North German Philharmonic.

Lukas Schwarz’s Bio

Photo by Felix Broede